Philly Cheese Steak

[Desertthorn]

I'm a Washingtonian and what do I know. They look delicious and I'm thinking that they would be good wrapped in a lettuce leaf. So, does someone have a recipe cause I think Im the only person in the world who doesn't know how to make one.

[dotsamantha]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

I bet Higgies will have something yummy.

[Desertthorn]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

What kind of cheese is best?

[dotsamantha]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

I prefer white american cheese, personally.

I think you'll appreciate this:

http://www.davidpatrone.com/Literature/Cheesesteak.htm

In Philly there are only three or four things you can EXPECT to find in, surrounding or on a Cheesesteak and that is:
Hoagie Roll: Amoroso's is the most famous local bakery and is utilized by a few discerning Cheesteak vendors across the country. Despite the typical Philadelphian's attitude towards the roll, there are a few suitable replacements worldwide; however, they are extremely difficult to find.
Steak: Thinly sliced meat: NOT Roast beef and not Steak-um (although Steak-um is the only acceptable replacement under extreme circumstances that allows you to continue to call it a Cheesesteak)
Cheese: (Provolone or White American Cheese) some people get Mozzarella, muenster, Jack or even Cheese Whiz but these are generally eschewed by true Philadelphians unless part of a specific adaptation such as The Pizza Steak (See Below)
Fried Onions: they are optional although sometimes automatically added and fried into the meat until soft and semi transparent. I believe the culinary term is "Carmelized"

[dotsamantha]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

Pretty entertaining, I think

There are other classifications of the Philly Cheesesteak which are generally acceptably by Philly local standards; yet, are classified more specifically as follows:The Pizza Steak: Sometimes you may observe that a Philadelphian will receive a Cheesesteak with pizza or spaghetti sauce on it and some mozzarella cheese, oregano and possibly some Romano or Parmesan shake, this is called a PIZZA STEAK My first recollection of this culinary treat was in the early eighties, I don't know who started it but the first one I ever consumed was from Giusseppi's Pizza in Willow Grove, on the corner of York and Fitzwatertown Roads sometime around the year that the Phillies won the World Series.

The Steak Hoagie: Sometimes you may observe that a Philadelphian will receive "stuff" on his Cheesesteak, AKA lettuce, tomato, onion (uncooked) and maybe, though I personally shudder at the thought, Mayo. This is called a STEAK HOAGIE! These types of people are often difficult to identify as true Philadelphians due to the absurdity of this sandwich and its considerable similarity to a non-Philadelphian sandwich. Do not confuse this sandwich with the Bible Belt Bastardization of Philadelphia Cheesesteak which is often called a "Steak and Cheese" and is commonly served in various and inconsistent configurations throughout the American Southeast and Midwest The differences are subtle yet inherently important in "The Overall Scheme Of Things" which will be outlined to you at a later time, presumably by a higher power, at which time it will most likely be, "Too Late."

The Chicken Cheesesteak: A condescending concoction which, though tasty, is another instance of American Popular Image influence on the Philadelphia Culture. The Chicken Cheesesteak evolved, some say, as a result of a public outcry for a less fattening alternative to our Municipal Birthright. I say, "Screw those PC Bastards."

Unacceptable versions include but are not limited to:

The "Philly" Steak and Cheese: A blasphemous sandwich that is regionally assembled in a wide variety of ways including the gross misinterpretation of the word "Cheesesteak" to mean a piece of sirloin steak between two pieces of white bread, with cheddar cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion (uncooked) and Mayonnaise; utterly ridiculous in form and function. One can only imagine the incipience of this creation: Two rednecks sitting on the porch hear tell of a sandwich that one guy's friend in the Army used to describe as a cheese steak sandwich. They get together and rifle through the ice box to find a slab of left-over squirrel steaks from the summer before. Using their vast culinary prowess they grab two slices of stale white bread, toast it to make it seem like it's supposed to be that hard and slather Mayonnaise, Cole Slaw and Okra upon the Rodential Roadkill and commence to dining. Three weeks later the meal shows up as a special in the local diner where one of the men's teenage wife works. Since they can't read too good, the name Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich gets "whisper down the laned" to finally be called a Steak and Cheese before someone finally gets the big idea to write it down, in chalk, at the top of a greasy griddle six hundred miles away. By this time the recipe includes grits, greens and cornpone crumbles. The mere thought of the prospect of biting and chewing this mess would astound and dismay even a sous chef from Chicago. You can find one of these jewels in the Memphis International Airport.

David Patrone
Consumer and Philadelphian

[Desertthorn]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

LOL, talk about stupid, I always thought you used Philladelphia Cream Cheese. LOL

[2big4mysize]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

basically it is thin slices of steak pan grilled with grilled onions topped with cheese
then folk get fancy and add mushrooms, peppers, and somewtimes stuff like whorchestershire sauce.

whatevery you like grilled with your beef Lynne would be the way to go. cover the lettuce with a slice of cheese so it doesn't wilt add the hot steak mix and roll it up in your lettuce.

[Rubysugar]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

I use roast beef, sliced at the deli counter. I saute my mushrooms and onions with worstechester and a little garlic powder, some black pepper, then add the beef at the end and cook till hot then add my cheese, usually Monterey Jack. I know this isn't a "true" Philly, but I have never had one from Philly, so it works for me!

I have also used leftover london broil, sliced very thin on the bias.

Tell us what you come up with!

[dotsamantha]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

There's nothing like the authentic deal, but I say anything goes. Whatever you like, right? I love the idea in the lettuce.

[DAWNIMMEL]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

I live outside of Philly and my family used to own several pizza places in philly. I go out on friday nights and order a cheesesteak without the roll. It is good.......Dawn

[MissMaura]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

Hello all, reading this as a Philadelphian, my ears are now bleeding. However, I'll forgive you and tell you how to make one. ( a cheesesteak)

What you do is, you go to a deli and you ordered "Chipped steak" when you open the package, it's a bright red, raw bloody-type meat. However, once you fry it, it looks great. So, what you do is you put oil in your pan and you put the steak in the pan and start chopping up the meat until it resembles how ground meat looks when you break it up. You can add salt, pepper and fried onions. Fry the onions up real good. What a genuine Philly steak is made with, (in South Philly) is cheese whiz. Unbelievably, at one place here in Philly you have to order saying "I want a Whiz With" or "I want a Whiz Without" If you want a "Whiz with," it means you want a Whiz Cheesesteak with Fried Onions, if you want a "Whiz without," then you want a Whiz Cheesesteak without fried onions. Another good alternative to Cheese Whiz is American cheese. As the article above said, Amoroso's rolls are the best way to eat a Cheesesteak. Once you've browned your meat and fried your onions you can put the cheese whiz on the roll, then add the meat and onions and if your cheese isn't warm enough, throw it in the microwave for a few minutes. That's what I do. Or, if you are using American Cheese, again you want to line it up on the roll and then add your meat on top of it. Cheesesteaks are also great with ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet peppers, hot peppers, green peppers, etc.

Just don't ever use roast beef, london broil, ground meat, pork, just ask for Chipped Steak. Honestly, I don't know if they have it other places. But just ask, you never know if they do. I never knew you could buy it from the deli until my Mom told me and I never would've known what it was called, either.

Cheesesteaks are great without the roll, though. Admittedly, on Atkins I find myself eating like, a 2 foot steak without the roll. Because the roll is the part that helps fill you up. Also be careful of the onions of course, since we know they're starchy and whatnot.

Well, this was just a few helpful hints from a Philadelphian here.

[not2late]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

Chipped steak is something that's probably only available in the Philly area. If you ask for chipped steak in my area, they'll direct you to the frozen section and point at Steak-um!

Cook's Illustrated Magazine had a cheesesteak recipe. I can't remember what cut of meat they used, but I'll try to remember to look it up.

[kkat55]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

Wow! This really sounds fantastic!

I'm getting hungry!!

Tic Toc...waiting to go home...

[Babs]

Re: Philly Cheese Steak

Philly's sound good. Maybe this is not really a Philly, but I love a similar type of sandwich(minus the bun), called a Tri Tip sandwich. We have a place we like to go to when we spend the day in a nearby city. Our thin sliced meat for this type of sandwich comes from the tri tip, which is the lifter off the sirloin, that people used to have ground into hamburger. They give us the meat and cheese (we hold the onions) on the huge bun and let us put our own things on if we want, peppers, lettuce, sprouts,etc., so we load on good veggies. We bring paper plates and a fork and paper towels from home and toss the bun and order it take-out. This time on Induction though, I'm not eating them until I find out if there's sugar in the seasoning.

I have seen "chipped" meat sold in little jars, but I have never tried it. I'll have to check it out.